A Gnome all Alone [Archive] - Wizards Community

A Gnome all Alone [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Shadow Hammer
10-01-05, 05:33 AM I got one player in my groups at the moment, and he decided to play only one character. He created a gnome fighter, and both of us figured he wouldn't survive past the first session or two.

The little gnome hero began life in a small farming villiage on the edge of a forest near some mountains. His first "adventure" was clearing rats out of the towns foodstores. After his success against the rats he decided to become a hometown merc, and put up signs in the local tavern. After a few weeks the villiage priest hired him to clear more rats from the basment of the temple.

With two successful rat hunter mission under his belt, he was feeling pretty good, so he was quick to accept when an elf showed up on his door a few weeks later with news that goblins had captured the unicorn who protects the forest. The little gnome fighter mounted up his rideing dog and went out after them. After he found them he completely deccimated all four goblins (To the shock of both me and my player) and rescued the unicorn.

Returning to town he was feeling pretty good, and it didn't take long for him to be employed again, this time by a group of dwarven miners who were haveing some problems with hobgoblins in their mines. Now I expect this adventure to kill the litle gnome, but damned if he didn't push his way through the dungeon and manage to slaughter all the hobgoblins.

Now that he was possetive he wanted to be an adventurer, the little hero reworked his sign at the tavern, and was soon employed once again, this time by the hermit wizard who lives outside of town. This time the gnome was sent into the graveyard to retrieve an artifact from a family crypt. He faced skeletons and snakes deep under the graveyard, and it ended with a battle between him and the villiage wizard's rival, a necromancer after the same artifact.

Dureing his adventure in the crypt, the gnome camea cross a map telling of a magic statue hidden in the hills surrounding the villiage. Itching for a new advnture he set off and soon found himself at the entrance to a cave. Ventureing inside he face bats, goblins, and a human rogue intent of stealing the statue. But the biggest shock came when he faced off against an ogre and felled it in three hits.

For his next adventure he was employed by the villiage elders to rescue a small caravan that had been ambushed by orcs on the road outside town. He tracked the beasts to their lair and attacked. The battle was difficult, and he came very close to death, but in the end he triumphed and freed the hostages.

Feeling pretty proud of himself, the gnome returned to town, only to hear word the a gang of hobgoblin and goblins had attacked and claimed a large portion of the dwarven citidel in the mountains near the villiage. Feeling heroic he ventured forth to reclaim the stronghold in the name of the dwarves. It was a difficult and nearly lethal adventure, and he retreated several times to heal, only to return with renewed determination. He eventually won the day and was rewarded with his first masterwork weapon, as well as a hellhound pelt he plans to turn into a shirt.

With eight adventures under his belt, and load of confidence, the little gnome (and my player) are itching to continue. The problem? I'm running low on adventure ideas.

I have one adventure planned, where he will discover the hobgoblins and goblins that attacked the dwarves were part of a larger tribe who serve Scorch, a wyrmling red dragon. But this adventure requires the gnome to gain a couple more levels first.

So does anyone have any suggestions on good adventures I could rn for this lonely gnome fighter that don't involve leaveing the area of his home villiage?
FlameLover
10-01-05, 05:43 AM Maybe he could be hired as body guard for a messenger after-hours but they get pounced and kidnapped. When he wakes up he has to fight his way out, find the messenger and hopefully find enough info about the kidnappers to tell the authorities?
psionichamster
10-01-05, 08:26 AM well, this little Gnome has pretty much single-handedly been saving the people of <insert village name here> for some time now

how about a little gratitude on their parts? ...perhaps some minor alchemical goods (not sure if its a gnomish town or what) or some upgraded gear?

an antique silvered dagger would be an appropriate reward for such esteemed good-deeds.

adventures appropriate for such a little hero?

looking for a lost child...not even necessarily in danger, but the Gnome may be

assisting w/ some difficult chop-and-carry tasks, which the villagers wouldn't be able to do solo

spider or scorpion- killing missions may be in order

helping out w/ some "disaster" - like a burning bldg or something similar
Shadow Hammer
10-01-05, 03:36 PM Well thats a few good ideas.

The villiage is mostly gnome with only a couple human and elven citizens.

Since he's a fighter I want to focuse on combat adventures, since we both enjoy them. But fighting rats, goblins and th other variuse low CR monsters gets boreing after awhile.
General_Ridley
10-01-05, 04:28 PM how about a kobold invasion? Gnomes + kobolds = fun.
Psychoticpsymon
10-01-05, 04:37 PM Send in a *butt*load of illusionists who try to steal all of the goods in the town.

And a quote from pier's anthony that can be applied to the ridiculous number of adventures he's been in and their danger levels, "No one gnomes the trouble he's seen" :D
dan1234
10-01-05, 07:38 PM Why did you expect the Gnome to die??? Gnome fighters kick ass!! that like saying a halfling barbarian isn't good!!!
Spus Widgetwatcher
10-01-05, 09:10 PM Throw him some NPC allies. A Nobleman comes through town and is desperate for soldiers. He sees some gnome for hire and tosses him in thinking he'll only be fodder. He is showed to be exceptional in combat, and gets put on special forces style missions with 2 or 3 recurring allies.
Shazarn
10-01-05, 11:08 PM umm a combo of the nobleman and kobold. a vast kobold army (maybe also Scorch controlled) is on the march towards whaerever (big city) and the army is picking this town as a first line of defence. So The nobelman in charge of some sector of defence needs some more guys cause he is low.The kobolds find out where the weak spot is and it is the place whith our man. ummm so they concentrate their attack and the gnome gets surrounded. you know his buds go down and such and then umm the kobolds strike and then renforcments come so he dosen't have too singelhandidly fight the kobold army. Also, if you have new players this could introduce them here.
Dark Stryke
10-01-05, 11:13 PM Umm, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't those the exact adventures found in the D&D 3.0 basic set? Could be 3.5, I dunno. I am rather amazed that this gnome survived, but he should probably have levelled very fast.
yellowdingo
10-01-05, 11:33 PM From distant Castle Hundrock comes lord Jaron's small army of fifty troops. Let them lay seige to the Guild Village for non payment of Rent.

That gives you a small battle (the local lord's Estate Steward and his Bailiffs vs the Gnome and a band NPC rent dodging Villagers).

"Come on lads! No rent without recognition!" Came the cry from behind the Wooden Barricades.
Right. The Lord's Steward pointed his sword at the Gnome on the Wall.
"I'm sure it came from the little guy in the Middle." Hundo the Bailiff focused on the Short fellow in the distance.
"Stomp that gnome into the dirt where he belongs!" The cry went up amongst the Bailiffs. Suddenly the villagers realized their Small gnomish hero was the focus of a lot of unwelcome hostility.
kaeso
10-01-05, 11:55 PM to steal one from one of my mini-novel-writing friends (oh boy, I can't wait to read his 90 paged character history...) have the gnome be asked to transport a package to another town. It's very important, very secret, and he can't open it. When it's delivered, he'll be paid in full. He's told they WILL know if he peeked. This could get him out of that town if you want to place an adventure in a different location, or some people could chase after him to get the package he has.
Omega the Powerfull
10-02-05, 12:28 AM Sometimes when my mind is in lack of ideas I let the players create the adventure! :eek:

Don't got me wrong here, I use the hooks they leave during the last sessions, or any kind of hook they can create for themselves.
Examples: The <creature the gnome have slained name>'s brother is now for revenge! If the players seek for outlaws, let them have a good bounty hunter session!

One of the hooks I like most, specially if you want to put the characters against each other is the map of the treasure hook, when the trasure is something very desirable, and powerfull for all of them. :schemes: Of course they could sell the item, but if you are in a group of fighters and find a vorpal greatsword, hardly you'll want to sell it.
Shadow Hammer
10-02-05, 06:48 AM Dark Stryke: 3.0, whats your point? They were fun and exciting and yes he did level up fairly quickly. Personally I think characters should level up quickly until mid level (5-8). He is currently level 5.

kaeso: Sounds like the beginning of Night Below, an old (I think 2nd Edition) D&D underdark campagin.

Please keep in mind that this little gnome is all by himself. I have no plans to introduce new players, and I refuse to run NPC allies that travel with him, it tends to bog down game play and nither of us end up enjoying it.
yellowdingo
10-03-05, 01:55 AM It is quite simple to run NPCs in the Solo Game.

Uther leaps past you through the Barricades and takes a volley of arrows from the Baliffs as they fire upon your Position.
Uther's Brother Bernardo pushes forward to hold onto his dying brother. "By the Gods Gnome! Look what your violence has brought this village." Screaming with dispare Bernardo takes the full force of a second volley directed at you.

You dont need to roll for their battles. Simply decide their actions and their fate in a quick thought that adds to the story.
Black Kitten
10-03-05, 03:01 AM Perhaps you could have his name be known to more powerful people of a larger city and have them hire his services. Placing the Gnome in a city could be pretty neat, especially if you can put him up against rogues. Not as powerful, but more illusive and hard to keep in a 1-1 fight (at least, my rogues tend to retreat once they are at 50% of their hp).
Deflare
10-03-05, 03:27 AM w00t! Go, gnomey go! Go, gnomey, go!

*ahem* First of all, you may consider flipping through some other creature books- MM2, MM3, Fiend Folio, the environment books, and so on. They can have some pretty nifty creatures in there.

Another possibility is to have a high-CR creature that has been weakened in some way. For example, perhaps a giant has become diseased and is on the rampage; his disease lowers some of his stats and make him act blindly and stupidly.

When you want to throw in a twist, you could add class levels to weaker creatures. For example, you could have a small group of kobolds with the same classes as a normal adventuring party be sent out by Scorch to take out the gnome, who is starting to become a nuisance.

Sometimes, the most frightening encounters are with the most familiar races. Perhaps a number of dissappearances around town have lead to the hiring of a detective, who seems to have a lead pointing to the kindly old mayor of the village. He has had trouble convincing any of the villagers to go investigate, as they trust the mayor too much. So, the gnome is asked to investigate, and quickly finds out that the mayor has a dark secret, which has been causing him to kill the missing. Preferably, the mayor would wind up being a lycanthrope or evil cult leader. If he's a lycanthrope, include a small cluster of the relevant animal- a wererat may have several rat companions. A cult leader, of course, would have the cult members. Bonus points if the gnome saves a child trapped in the mayor's home.
yellowdingo
10-05-05, 05:57 AM "Your story sounds quite entertaining!" Inquisitior Peosi leaned in to stare the young Gnome in the eyes.
"It's True! There I was in the middle of telling his lordships Bailiffs we were no longer going to pay rent, when wham! Suddenly I'm in a Glass Maze being chased by hampsters the size of wardogs." A squeek from the darkest corner of the room brought an instant flashback of something he was desperatly trying not to remember.
"Liar! Where did you go? Tell Me!"
A voice from the Darkness.
"Calm yourself Inquisitor Peosi, the little heretic simply believes what he is saying." Inquisitor Peosi breathed in and out.
"Yes, Grand Master, You are right!"
A pause.
"How he got into the inner sanctum of the Order of Pandemonius on the other hand is another question entirely." The Grand Master of Pandemonium shifted forward into the light.
A difficult silence.
"Umm, y..you do know I could see you in the Dark right?"

Nothing like an unexplained snatch and grab...
yellowdingo
10-27-05, 04:06 AM Ok, Shadowhammer: How did it go?
WCH
10-27-05, 04:55 AM What EL are the encounters you've been giving him that he's been doing so well at, and what level is he?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Shadow Hammer 10-01-05, 05:33 AM	I got one player in my groups at the moment, and he decided to play only one character. He created a gnome fighter, and both of us figured he wouldn't survive past the first session or two. The little gnome hero began life in a small farming villiage on the edge of a forest near some mountains. His first "adventure" was clearing rats out of the towns foodstores. After his success against the rats he decided to become a hometown merc, and put up signs in the local tavern. After a few weeks the villiage priest hired him to clear more rats from the basment of the temple. With two successful rat hunter mission under his belt, he was feeling pretty good, so he was quick to accept when an elf showed up on his door a few weeks later with news that goblins had captured the unicorn who protects the forest. The little gnome fighter mounted up his rideing dog and went out after them. After he found them he completely deccimated all four goblins (To the shock of both me and my player) and rescued the unicorn. Returning to town he was feeling pretty good, and it didn't take long for him to be employed again, this time by a group of dwarven miners who were haveing some problems with hobgoblins in their mines. Now I expect this adventure to kill the litle gnome, but damned if he didn't push his way through the dungeon and manage to slaughter all the hobgoblins. Now that he was possetive he wanted to be an adventurer, the little hero reworked his sign at the tavern, and was soon employed once again, this time by the hermit wizard who lives outside of town. This time the gnome was sent into the graveyard to retrieve an artifact from a family crypt. He faced skeletons and snakes deep under the graveyard, and it ended with a battle between him and the villiage wizard's rival, a necromancer after the same artifact. Dureing his adventure in the crypt, the gnome camea cross a map telling of a magic statue hidden in the hills surrounding the villiage. Itching for a new advnture he set off and soon found himself at the entrance to a cave. Ventureing inside he face bats, goblins, and a human rogue intent of stealing the statue. But the biggest shock came when he faced off against an ogre and felled it in three hits. For his next adventure he was employed by the villiage elders to rescue a small caravan that had been ambushed by orcs on the road outside town. He tracked the beasts to their lair and attacked. The battle was difficult, and he came very close to death, but in the end he triumphed and freed the hostages. Feeling pretty proud of himself, the gnome returned to town, only to hear word the a gang of hobgoblin and goblins had attacked and claimed a large portion of the dwarven citidel in the mountains near the villiage. Feeling heroic he ventured forth to reclaim the stronghold in the name of the dwarves. It was a difficult and nearly lethal adventure, and he retreated several times to heal, only to return with renewed determination. He eventually won the day and was rewarded with his first masterwork weapon, as well as a hellhound pelt he plans to turn into a shirt. With eight adventures under his belt, and load of confidence, the little gnome (and my player) are itching to continue. The problem? I'm running low on adventure ideas. I have one adventure planned, where he will discover the hobgoblins and goblins that attacked the dwarves were part of a larger tribe who serve Scorch, a wyrmling red dragon. But this adventure requires the gnome to gain a couple more levels first. So does anyone have any suggestions on good adventures I could rn for this lonely gnome fighter that don't involve leaveing the area of his home villiage?
FlameLover 10-01-05, 05:43 AM	Maybe he could be hired as body guard for a messenger after-hours but they get pounced and kidnapped. When he wakes up he has to fight his way out, find the messenger and hopefully find enough info about the kidnappers to tell the authorities?
psionichamster 10-01-05, 08:26 AM	well, this little Gnome has pretty much single-handedly been saving the people of <insert village name here> for some time now how about a little gratitude on their parts? ...perhaps some minor alchemical goods (not sure if its a gnomish town or what) or some upgraded gear? an antique silvered dagger would be an appropriate reward for such esteemed good-deeds. adventures appropriate for such a little hero? looking for a lost child...not even necessarily in danger, but the Gnome may be assisting w/ some difficult chop-and-carry tasks, which the villagers wouldn't be able to do solo spider or scorpion- killing missions may be in order helping out w/ some "disaster" - like a burning bldg or something similar
Shadow Hammer 10-01-05, 03:36 PM	Well thats a few good ideas. The villiage is mostly gnome with only a couple human and elven citizens. Since he's a fighter I want to focuse on combat adventures, since we both enjoy them. But fighting rats, goblins and th other variuse low CR monsters gets boreing after awhile.
General_Ridley 10-01-05, 04:28 PM	how about a kobold invasion? Gnomes + kobolds = fun.
Psychoticpsymon 10-01-05, 04:37 PM	Send in a buttload of illusionists who try to steal all of the goods in the town. And a quote from pier's anthony that can be applied to the ridiculous number of adventures he's been in and their danger levels, "No one gnomes the trouble he's seen" :D
dan1234 10-01-05, 07:38 PM	Why did you expect the Gnome to die??? Gnome fighters kick ass!! that like saying a halfling barbarian isn't good!!!
Spus Widgetwatcher 10-01-05, 09:10 PM	Throw him some NPC allies. A Nobleman comes through town and is desperate for soldiers. He sees some gnome for hire and tosses him in thinking he'll only be fodder. He is showed to be exceptional in combat, and gets put on special forces style missions with 2 or 3 recurring allies.
Shazarn 10-01-05, 11:08 PM	umm a combo of the nobleman and kobold. a vast kobold army (maybe also Scorch controlled) is on the march towards whaerever (big city) and the army is picking this town as a first line of defence. So The nobelman in charge of some sector of defence needs some more guys cause he is low.The kobolds find out where the weak spot is and it is the place whith our man. ummm so they concentrate their attack and the gnome gets surrounded. you know his buds go down and such and then umm the kobolds strike and then renforcments come so he dosen't have too singelhandidly fight the kobold army. Also, if you have new players this could introduce them here.
Dark Stryke 10-01-05, 11:13 PM	Umm, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't those the exact adventures found in the D&D 3.0 basic set? Could be 3.5, I dunno. I am rather amazed that this gnome survived, but he should probably have levelled very fast.
yellowdingo 10-01-05, 11:33 PM	From distant Castle Hundrock comes lord Jaron's small army of fifty troops. Let them lay seige to the Guild Village for non payment of Rent. That gives you a small battle (the local lord's Estate Steward and his Bailiffs vs the Gnome and a band NPC rent dodging Villagers). "Come on lads! No rent without recognition!" Came the cry from behind the Wooden Barricades. Right. The Lord's Steward pointed his sword at the Gnome on the Wall. "I'm sure it came from the little guy in the Middle." Hundo the Bailiff focused on the Short fellow in the distance. "Stomp that gnome into the dirt where he belongs!" The cry went up amongst the Bailiffs. Suddenly the villagers realized their Small gnomish hero was the focus of a lot of unwelcome hostility.
kaeso 10-01-05, 11:55 PM	to steal one from one of my mini-novel-writing friends (oh boy, I can't wait to read his 90 paged character history...) have the gnome be asked to transport a package to another town. It's very important, very secret, and he can't open it. When it's delivered, he'll be paid in full. He's told they WILL know if he peeked. This could get him out of that town if you want to place an adventure in a different location, or some people could chase after him to get the package he has.
Omega the Powerfull 10-02-05, 12:28 AM	Sometimes when my mind is in lack of ideas I let the players create the adventure! :eek: Don't got me wrong here, I use the hooks they leave during the last sessions, or any kind of hook they can create for themselves. Examples: The <creature the gnome have slained name>'s brother is now for revenge! If the players seek for outlaws, let them have a good bounty hunter session! One of the hooks I like most, specially if you want to put the characters against each other is the map of the treasure hook, when the trasure is something very desirable, and powerfull for all of them. :schemes: Of course they could sell the item, but if you are in a group of fighters and find a vorpal greatsword, hardly you'll want to sell it.
Shadow Hammer 10-02-05, 06:48 AM	Dark Stryke: 3.0, whats your point? They were fun and exciting and yes he did level up fairly quickly. Personally I think characters should level up quickly until mid level (5-8). He is currently level 5. kaeso: Sounds like the beginning of Night Below, an old (I think 2nd Edition) D&D underdark campagin. Please keep in mind that this little gnome is all by himself. I have no plans to introduce new players, and I refuse to run NPC allies that travel with him, it tends to bog down game play and nither of us end up enjoying it.
yellowdingo 10-03-05, 01:55 AM	It is quite simple to run NPCs in the Solo Game. Uther leaps past you through the Barricades and takes a volley of arrows from the Baliffs as they fire upon your Position. Uther's Brother Bernardo pushes forward to hold onto his dying brother. "By the Gods Gnome! Look what your violence has brought this village." Screaming with dispare Bernardo takes the full force of a second volley directed at you. You dont need to roll for their battles. Simply decide their actions and their fate in a quick thought that adds to the story.
Black Kitten 10-03-05, 03:01 AM	Perhaps you could have his name be known to more powerful people of a larger city and have them hire his services. Placing the Gnome in a city could be pretty neat, especially if you can put him up against rogues. Not as powerful, but more illusive and hard to keep in a 1-1 fight (at least, my rogues tend to retreat once they are at 50% of their hp).
Deflare 10-03-05, 03:27 AM	w00t! Go, gnomey go! Go, gnomey, go! ahem First of all, you may consider flipping through some other creature books- MM2, MM3, Fiend Folio, the environment books, and so on. They can have some pretty nifty creatures in there. Another possibility is to have a high-CR creature that has been weakened in some way. For example, perhaps a giant has become diseased and is on the rampage; his disease lowers some of his stats and make him act blindly and stupidly. When you want to throw in a twist, you could add class levels to weaker creatures. For example, you could have a small group of kobolds with the same classes as a normal adventuring party be sent out by Scorch to take out the gnome, who is starting to become a nuisance. Sometimes, the most frightening encounters are with the most familiar races. Perhaps a number of dissappearances around town have lead to the hiring of a detective, who seems to have a lead pointing to the kindly old mayor of the village. He has had trouble convincing any of the villagers to go investigate, as they trust the mayor too much. So, the gnome is asked to investigate, and quickly finds out that the mayor has a dark secret, which has been causing him to kill the missing. Preferably, the mayor would wind up being a lycanthrope or evil cult leader. If he's a lycanthrope, include a small cluster of the relevant animal- a wererat may have several rat companions. A cult leader, of course, would have the cult members. Bonus points if the gnome saves a child trapped in the mayor's home.
yellowdingo 10-05-05, 05:57 AM	"Your story sounds quite entertaining!" Inquisitior Peosi leaned in to stare the young Gnome in the eyes. "It's True! There I was in the middle of telling his lordships Bailiffs we were no longer going to pay rent, when wham! Suddenly I'm in a Glass Maze being chased by hampsters the size of wardogs." A squeek from the darkest corner of the room brought an instant flashback of something he was desperatly trying not to remember. "Liar! Where did you go? Tell Me!" A voice from the Darkness. "Calm yourself Inquisitor Peosi, the little heretic simply believes what he is saying." Inquisitor Peosi breathed in and out. "Yes, Grand Master, You are right!" A pause. "How he got into the inner sanctum of the Order of Pandemonius on the other hand is another question entirely." The Grand Master of Pandemonium shifted forward into the light. A difficult silence. "Umm, y..you do know I could see you in the Dark right?" Nothing like an unexplained snatch and grab...
yellowdingo 10-27-05, 04:06 AM	Ok, Shadowhammer: How did it go?
WCH 10-27-05, 04:55 AM	What EL are the encounters you've been giving him that he's been doing so well at, and what level is he?